A thousand acres of stretching park land sets the stage for this triathlon turned adventure. Ditch the tarmac and embrace the race course less ridden, as XTERRA Weston Park takes you off road and gives you a chance to push yourself into the unknown. Race weekend plays host to a full suite of distances, from beginner-friendly super sprint up to the elite world cup full distance race. With 58 age group XTERRA World Championship qualifying slots on offer, those racing at the pointy end of the field can expect some stiff competition. But with shorter distance races on offer, and courses that strike the balance of challenging yet accessible. XTERRA Weston Park will appeal to novices and seasoned racers alike.
Whether you’re looking to qualify for the World Champs, or simply looking for a beautiful setting to give your first off road triathlon a go – XTERRA Weston Park is an ideal choice.
Location - History, heritage and plenty of outdoor adventures
Weston Park is situated in the quaint village of Weston-under-Lizard in England, close to the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. An imposing stately home is the centre piece of the extensive grounds. The former ancestral home of the Earls of Bradford, it’s packed full of history including a Victorian library with over 3,000 books, and a world class art collection – some of which dates back over 500 years.
1,000 acres of grounds surround the stately home, designed by renowned landscaper Capability Brown. Here you’ll find formal walled gardens, sprawling woodland and extensive parkland. It’s these impressive grounds which play host to the XTERRA triathlon event – giving participants the opportunity to explore Weston Park from a unique perspective.
Outside of the Weston Park grounds, the local area offers plenty to keep all the family entertained should you choose to extend your stay and make it a race-cation. With some of the best mountain biking in the country nearby at Cannock Chase, and the tough climbs of the Shropshire hills on your doorstep – cyclists will be in their element. Extensive trails and valleys will give trail runners plenty to explore. And with two of the UK’s biggest theme parks in the area, thrill seekers won’t be disappointed.
Race weekend hosts a full range of triathlon and duathlon distances, including a kids race. And with live music, on-site camping and kids activities on offer alongside a packed schedule of off-road multisport action. Expect a festival atmosphere to make XTERRA Weston Park a weekend to remember.

Why race... XTERRA Weston Park
Here’s why you need to hit that ‘enter now’ button ASAP and add XTERRA Weston Park to your race calendar.
Course - The ultimate way to explore the parkland
XTERRA Weston Park offers a range of race distances: super sprint, sprint and full distance (1.5k swim/28km bike/10km run) triathlons; sprint and full distance duathlons; and a kids bike-run event.
The terrain is rolling, and the course ratings range from ‘easy’ to ‘intermediate’ – with the super sprint distance events particularly suited to novices. The swim takes place in a lake, and while you can expect plenty of mud on the bike, the run is a mixture of hard-packed trail and muddy trail. Full course details are yet to be announced, but here’s everything we know so far.
Swim - 400m/750m/1500m
The swim takes place in the lake at Weston Park, with a mass start. The average water temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, so you can expect it to be a wetsuit-legal swim. Those taking on the full distance race will swim 2 laps, with an Aussie exit. Sprint distance racers need only complete the one lap.
BIke - 8km/16km/28km
The bike course will take you on a tour through the woods and parkland at Weston Park. Course maps are still to be announced, but expect a rolling course profile and muddy terrain. All participants must compete on a mountain bike – the race is under British Triathlon rules, meaning gravel bikes are not allowed. The course for the age group events will be 1-2 laps, depending on race distance. The Elite World Cup event will take place on a separate, shorter lapped course, covering 32km in total.

Run - 2km/5km/10km
The run course will feature a mixture of hard-packed trails and muddy sections – so trail shoes are probably your best bet. For the sprint and full distance events, the course is a 5km lap – those competing over the full distance will tick this off twice before heading to the finish line. With the race taking place in parkland, the terrain shouldn’t be too technical. Making the race suitable for novices, and PB-worthy for experienced racers.

Race training & prep
Those who are new to XTERRA will want to spend the months leading up to race day practicing their off road skills. The courses are rated beginner-intermediate at XTERRA Weston Park, so you shouldn’t encounter anything wildly technical on the terrain front. But you’ll still want to be well-practiced at handling your mountain bike in the mud.
Before the racing action kicks off, athletes can take part in a mountain bike clinic at XTERRA Weston Park on the Friday afternoon. Here you’ll be able to recce the bike course with guidance from XTERRA Certified Coaches. Even if you’re an experienced off road rider, it’s still well worth attending this clinic so you know the course prior to race day.
If you’re arriving in the area early, head up to Cannock Chase to tick off your final pre-race rides and runs. Here you’ll find plenty of great mountain biking and running trails.
Travel & accommodation
Weston Park is easy to get to, situated on the A5 at Weston-under-Lizard, it’s just 30 minutes away from Central Birmingham – those travelling from overseas may be able to get direct flights into Birmingham. And if you’re flying into one of the London airports, the event location is well connected to major roads and rail lines so you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting there.
The nearest train stations are Telford (12 minutes), Stafford (20 minutes) and Wolverhampton (25 minutes).
Accommodation options are plentiful. On-site camping is available so you can pitch your tent or campervan a few hundred metres away from the start line. Weston Park itself also offers boutique cottage accommodation within the grounds. The Lilleshall National Sports Centre nearby in Shropshire also offers bed and breakfast accommodation. And with Telford, Stafford and Wolverhampton all in close proximity, there’s also a range of other hotels and inns nearby to suit a range of budgets.
Spectators - Watch and explore
Race weekend brings a festival atmosphere, with plenty of action to keep spectators entertained. There’ll be on-site camping available, with live music and kids races so you can bring the family. XTERRA have also secured a special discounted rate for spectators to access the Weston Park estate – so spectators can cheer on their athlete, but also enjoy everything the parkland has to offer. From the walled gardens to the woodland adventure trail.
Because the courses are lapped, it’ll be easier to see your athlete multiple times during the race. Don’t forget to check out the elite racing action on the Saturday too, you’ll be amazed at how fast the top competitors manage to go!

Race-cation - Something for everyone
If you’re planning on staying awhile after the race, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Weston Park itself has so much to explore – you could probably fill a day or two without leaving the grounds! Kids will love exploring the Adventure Playground, taking a ride on the miniature rail way or trying their hand at navigating the maze. Head to The Granary restaurant to enjoy a bite to eat, with an ‘estate to plate’ menu using ingredients from the gardens. Explore the historic house – from the world-class art collection and extensive Victorian library to the impressive interiors. As you recover from your race day antics, explore the grounds at a slower pace with a woodland walk.
Away from Weston Park itself, the surrounding Staffordshire/Shropshire area has something for everyone. If theme parks are your thing, check out Alton Towers or Drayton Manor. Thrill seekers can give rock climbing a go, with over 700 climbing routes in the Staffordshire Peak District. Cannock Chase is a haven for mountain bikers, but also offers up family-friendly activities – including GoApe. You can get in touch with your wild side by taking a trip to Drayton Manor Zoo or Trentham Monkey Forest. Or head to Stafford Castle to learn more about the area’s Norman history. And don’t forget, you’ve got the major city of Birmingham nearby if you’re missing the hustle and bustle.
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